Scales For Plastic Toy Soldiers

The Common Scales for Plastic Toy Soldiers
Sizes for Toy Soldiers, especially plastics can be confusing. Figures are usually referred to in scales rather than sizes but the size or height varies within each scale from manufacture to manufacture. In other words most manufactures call their figures 1/32nd scale but within that designation are figures ranging in height from 52mm to 56mm. The small scale plastic toy soldiers or 1/72nd scale are much more consistent in size from manufacture to manufacture.
Left: 1/72nd scale
Right: 1/32nd scale
Typical Sizes
Generally, plastic toy soldiers are sold in two scales, the small 1/72nd scale and the large 1/32nd scale. Please Note: New 65mm figures are not being produced and those currently on the market are reissues from original molds dating back to the 1960s and 1970s.
Left to Right
Barzo, Marx, Marx, Conte
Differences in Like Sizes
This Photo Shows the different sizes within the 1/32nd scale designation. Note that the middle two figures are from Marx and although considered 1/32nd scale they are actually slightly different in size.
Different Scales of Plastic Toy Soldiers
Note: Sizes are Measured from the bottom of the foot to the top of the head and do not include the thickness of the base.
European/German Scales for Plastic and Composition Figures
In Europe, plastic toy soldiers where once manufactured in two sizes not issued anywhere else, 4cm and 7cm. These scale figures were exported heavily into the USA from the late 1950s up through the early 1980s. In recent years 1/72nd has become the most popular scale in Europe but many collectors actively seek out the old 4cm and 7cm figures.
40mm (4cm) = 1 5/8"
The Following Companies Produced Figures in This Scale
Plastic: Elastolin/Merten/Strarlux
Figures from these companies can be mixed and matched and go together quite well.
Composition: Elastolin, Lineol
Figures from these companies can be mixed and matched and go together quite well.
60.50mm (6.5cm) = 2 9/16"
The Following Companies Produced Figures in This Scale
Composition: Elastolin, Lineol
70mm (7cm) 1/25th scale = 2 3/4"
The Following Companies Produced Figures in This Scale
Composition: Elastolin, Lineol, Leyla, Plastinol (Germany) / Durso(Belgium) / Nardi, Chialu, Xiloplasto (Italy)
Figures from these companies can be mixed and matched and go together quite well.
Plastic: Elastolin
100mm (10cm) = 4"
The Following Companies Produced Figures in This Scale
Composition: Elastolin, Lineol, (Germany) / Phiffer (Austria)
Figures from these companies can be mixed and matched and go together quite well.
110.50mm (11.5cm) = 4 1/2"
The Following Companies Produced Figures in This Scale
Composition: Elastolin, Lineol, (Germany)